The New Nation - Internet Edition

'Collective effort a must to make nation free from illiteracy’

BSS, Rajshahi

Speakers at a seminar here on Saturday stated that a collective effort of all concerned has become essential to make the nation free from the curses of illiteracy.

In this context, they laid emphasis on taking a holistic approach towards raising the literacy rate of the country for further progress.

They mentioned that primary school teachers and social workers should play an important role for spreading literacy throughout the country to achieve millennium development goals and make education for all (EFA) programme a success. They were addressing the seminar titled "Dissemination of Bangla Version of EFA Global monitoring Report-2008" arranged by the National Association of UNESCO Clubs in Bangladesh (NAUCB) in cooperation with UNESCO Dhaka and UNESCO Club of Rajshahi at the conference hall of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Principal of Rajshahi College Professor Dr Ali Reza Muhammad Abdul Mazid addressed the seminar as the chief guest with NAUCB Adviser and Associate Professor ANM Saleh of Psychology of Rajshahi University in the chair.

Professor Masuda M Rashid Chowdhury of Sociology Department of Dhaka University presented the keynote paper.

Among others, Secretary General of NAUCB Mahbubuddin Chowdhury, former Chairman of Rajshahi Education Board Professor Nurul Alam, District Education Officer Dr Sadhan Kumar Bishwas, Journalist Mustafizur Rahman Khan Alam and Abdul Kafi Chowdhury spoke on the occasion.

Terming the country's literacy rate unsatisfactory, the speakers said the affluent section of the people has been getting more benefit from the present education system than the poor ones due to corruption and different other irregularities as well as increased expenditure in every sector.

They said proper attention should be given for creating awareness among all quarters in this regard taking into consideration the need for improved education to help build an efficient nation and called upon all to help achieve UNESCO goals by 2015.

JS election-’08: Barisal BNP in a fix to nominate candidate

Our Correspondents, Barisal

Barisal BNP is in a fix about nominating their candidate for the parliament seat of Barisal-1 constituency consisting of Gournadi & Agailjhara P.S. Recently a secret meeting was held in a residential hotel in Dhaka to come to a decision. A decision was taken in that meeting to confer nomination upon a new face disregard of the opinion of grass root level workers.

Immediately however altercation began among the BNP workers about this nomination. Question arose among the workers as to whether high command of the party would commit the same mistake as it did in previous years. A few leaders who were present in the meeting in the residential hotel in Dhaka said that new select Lokman Hosain Khan was giving assurance in that meeting held on 5th December in a hotel of Kaoran Bazar. The leaders however held their names back and said that resolution was written as per decision of the meeting. The meeting was attended among others by Akon Kuddusur Rahaman Central Publicity Secretary of Jubodal, Abul hossain Mia, President in charge of BNP Gaurnadi upazila., General Secretary Sarwar alam Biplab.

Meanwhile, on receiving this news general supporters of BNP at Aailjhara expressed their satisfaction in clear terms. They demanded that proper person who had always been active in days of necessity should be selected for nomination. In the meantime Jubodal Leader Akon Kuddusur Rahaman though admitted that he was present in a meeting held in the hotel in Dhaka, denied about taking any decision or resolution in the meeting.

Founding anniversary of Udichi Shilpi Goshthi observed in Netrakona

Our Correspondent, Netrakona

The 40th founding anniversary of Udichi Shilpi was observed here on October 29 last. To mark the founding anniversary, a discussion meeting was held at the local Udichi office here under the auspices of Udichi Shilpi Goshthi Netrakona district unit. Chaired by president of Udichi Shilpi Goshthi Netrakona district unit Parimol Chandra Ray, the meeting was addressed, among others, by prominent writer Professor Matindra Chandra Sarker, executive director of Sabalambi Unnayan Samity Begum Rokeya and associate professor of Netrakona Government University College Rohi Das Devnath and general secretary of Udichi Shilpi Goshthy Netrakona district unit Sanwar Hussain Bhuian. Later, the meeting was followed by a colourful musical soiree based on patriotic songs which were presented by the Udichi artistes.

Akash wants to compete UZ poll from Savar

JU Correspondent

M Asaduzzaman Akash, president of 'Kashful' an environmental organisation of Ashulia area and the member secretary of Nayanjuli Khal Preservation Committee, wants to participate in upcoming Upazila Parishad election from Savar.

Akash also a noted businessman of the area has been serving as a social volunteer in the area for a long time and as a young man, he is popular among the people.

He also enhanced his helping hand for the poor people during the natural disasters period. His great contribution is to preserve the Nayanjuli Khal that is about to die making mass movement against the encroachers in the area.

Besides he is also involved in different managing committees of academic institutions of the area. He wants to sacrifice his life for the welfare and development of the area.

M Akash said that if he could pass in the election he would serve the people beyond his own interest. He has sought dua from all. M Akash passed SSC and HSC from Savar Cantonment Board School and Savar University College respectively.

JS poll-’08: Noakhali-2: Dr Jamaluddin seeks nomination from AL

A Correspondent, Noakhali

Dr Jamaluddin Ahmed, dedicated leader of Awami League and nomination aspirant wants to contest upcoming Parliament Election-2008 from Noakhali-2 (Senbag- Sonaimuri) constituency.

Dr. Jamaluddin Ahmed is an accounting graduate with honours followed by Masters from Dhaka University, a PhD (1996) from the Cardiff Business School, under the University of Wales United Kingdom as well as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) and is a council member of ICAB for the last nine years. Dr Jamal is currently Technical Advisor of South Asian Federation of Accountants which is member body of SAARC.

Dr Jamal is a Partner at Hoda Vasi Chowdhury & Co, Charterted Accountants, which is the associate firm of Deloitte & Touche in Bangladesh.

Dr Jamal completed his PhD thesis (1996) on the Adverse Effect of Currency Devaluation on the Foreign Loan user Companies of Bangladesh. Over his professional career, Dr. Jamal has written copious publications and conducted numerous research papers on various aspects. Dr Jamal's publications include, Banking Reform in Bangladesh: Comparison with Best Practices, Fiscal Policy for Economic Growth, From Cash to Accrual Accounting-Reforming Government Accounting in Bangladesh, Management of Migrant Remittance-What Shapes and What Shakes, Attracting Foreign Direct Investment-What Shapes and What Shakes, Political Economy of Privatization in Bangladesh-Comparison of Regimes, Political Economy of Currency Devaluation-A Comparative Study.

After coming back from UK Dr Jamal engaged himself with Awami league Politics since 1996. Since then Dr Jamal has been working with Professor Abul Barkat's team. Bangladesh Awami League nominated Dr Jamal in the National Election of 2001 as Member of Parliament from Noakhali-1 Constituency. He was the victim of 4 Party Alliance Government during 2001-2006 periods.

Missing

Our Correspondent, Rupganj

A disabled boy of 9/10 years wearing Ganjee and short pant has been missing from Bhulta area of Rupganj Narayanganj since Ist November last. His father Monir Hossain, Correspondent of a local newspaper requested, to the kind hearted persons to contact with the following Mobile Numbers after knowing of his whereabouts.

One commits suicide in Sirajganj

UNB, Sirajganj

A young man allegedly committed suicide at Paikpara village in Sadar upazila early Friday.

Family sources said that Hannan, 20, son of Qurban Ali, took his own life by hanging himself from the ceiling of his room at about 4 am. On information, police recovered the body and sent it to Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Hannan might have committed suicide due to financial hardship, the sources said.

United effort to eradicate drug abuse from society emphasised

Our Correspondent, Khulna

Commissioner Khulna Metropolitan Police Mohammad Helal uddin Badry said that there is no alternative other than to boost up people's awareness to root out drug abuse from the society. Warning about the alarming condition of the drug abuse in the country Police Commissioner said all of us with united efforts could eliminate this danger.

He was speaking following a rally at Shahid Hadis Park as chief guest on Saturday morning. A big rally was brought out from Zia Hall to Shahid Hadis Park to create awareness among the city dwellers.

Hundreds of city dwellers from all walks of life came from all over the city carrying placard Resist drug addition Neshake Na Balun etc, chanting slogans against the drug abuse paraded the main thoroughfare are up to Shahid Hadis Park.

Organised by the Khulna Metropolitan Police the rally was also addressed among others, by additional Divisional Commissioner MA Samad, DC (HQ) Shahadat Hussain, president Khulna Press Club Wadudur Rahman Panna, DD Narcotics Parvin Akhter, Prof Zafar Imam, Mustafa Kamal and Sanjay Shamadder.

News briefs

Housewife killed in N’ganj

NARAYANGANJ, Nov 8: A housewife was killed allegedly by her husband at New Hajiganj in Fatulla thana on Thursday night for her refusal to pay him dowry. Local people said Sujan, 32, a re-rolling mill worker, used to torture his wife Popy Aktar, 25, for dowry since their marriage four years back. On the fateful night, Sujan picked up a quarrel with his wife over the issue and at one stage strangulated her to death. He fled the house soon after the murder, reports UNB.

Training on anti-money laundering concludes

KISHOREGANJ, Nov 8: A two-day anti-money laundering training programme aimed at checking transfer of money illegally through hundi concluded at a community centre here Saturday. Managing Director of Bank Asia Limited Syed Anisul Haque inaugurated the programme, organized by Bangladesh Bank with the cooperation of Bank Asia Limited. Officials of Bangladesh Bank and other banks took part. Speaking on the inaugural occasion, the speakers said the government is being deprived of huge amount of revenue due to transaction of huge quantity of money illegally through hundi each year, reports UNB.

Brass-made idols seized in Benapole

BENAPOLE (Jessore), Nov 8: BDR jawans seized 558 pieces of brass-made Indian idols and motor spares worth Tk 19 lakh from a transport office here early Saturday. Acting on secret information, BDR members raided the office of Hanif Paribahan and seized the idols and spares in an abandoned condition. The contrabands smuggled into the country from India through Sadipur border, BDR sources said. The seized idols and spares were deposited to the local customs office. None was arrested in this connection, reports UNB.